[EM] electing a variable number of seats

[fsimmons at pcc.edu]

If, in addition to allowing the number of seats to vary, you are willing to allow different weights for different 
seats, then there is another solution: find the best proportional lottery L (e.g. by use of the Ultimate 
Lottery), and then, instead of using the lottery L to choose one of the candidates, use it to give weights 
to the candidates, and then seat only the ones with positive weights..

For example, if the range ballots were

20 A(100) X(90) 
20 B(100) X(90)
30 C(100) Y(80)
30 D(100) Y(80),

then L would give 40% to X and 60% to Y,

so X and Y would be the only candidates seated, and their respective weights would be 40 and 60 
percent.

Most of the other methods proposed would seat four candidates A, B, C, and D, and give them equal 
weight.

Which do you think is best in this case?

Andy, how would you compare these two outcomes with RRV?